Paraguay experienced an enormous increase in foreign residency applications during the first three months of 2026. The National Directorate of Migration reported receiving 18,071 requests between January and March. This rising residency applications figure represents a remarkable 85% rise when compared to the same period in the previous year.
A substantial rise in applications
The scale of this rise in residency applications increase becomes clearer when examining the data from 2025. During the first quarter of that year, the directorate registered only 9,760 applications. Consequently, the recent surge indicates a significant acceleration in the number of foreign nationals seeking to reside in the country.
Furthermore, the 18,071 applications lodged in just three months already constitute 38% of the total number received throughout all of 2025. That year had set a historic record with 47,687 submissions, highlighting the exceptional volume of requests seen at the start of 2026.
Temporary residencies leading
An analysis of the application types reveals that the growth is predominantly driven by those seeking temporary status. Specifically, 14,995 of the requests were for temporary residencies. This marks a substantial year-on-year increase of 105%.
In addition, applications for permanent residency also grew, with 3,076 requests submitted. This figure represents a 25% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025, showing sustained interest in long-term settlement in Paraguay.
Processing and approval rates surge
In response to the heightened demand, the National Directorate of Migration significantly expanded its processing capacity. The institution successfully issued a total of 14,275 residency documents during the same three-month period. This output reflects an impressive 110% increase in approvals compared to the figures from early 2025.
The breakdown of these granted residencies mirrors the trend seen in the applications. The majority of the documents issued were for temporary stays, with 11,064 temporary residencies approved. The remaining 3,211 were permanent residencies, confirming that a diverse range of foreign nationals are successfully completing the process to establish themselves in Paraguay, both on a short-term and long-term basis.
Rise in residency applications: Nationalities
The data on approved residencies provides a clear picture of the primary countries of origin for new residents. Citizens from Brazil overwhelmingly lead the ranking, accounting for 9,195 of the granted residencies. This means that Brazilians represent a significant majority, comprising 64% of all foreign nationals who successfully obtained residency status in Paraguay during the first quarter of 2026.
Following Brazil, Argentinians form the second-largest group, with 1,205 individuals being granted residency. The list also shows a considerable number of new residents from Europe and North America. German citizens accounted for 651 residencies, while Spain followed with 373. From North America, 228 citizens of the United States were approved. The remaining top ten nationalities include Venezuela with 204, France with 195, Russia with 194, Bolivia with 184, and the Netherlands with 170 new residents.
Other migration services also see high demand
Beyond residency applications, the National Directorate of Migration also processed a substantial volume of other migratory documents. The institution’s workload included a wide array of services essential for foreign nationals living in or visiting the country.
The directorate issued 370 occasional residencies and handled 480 requests for card replacements. Additionally, it processed 114 renewals for permanent residency cards and issued 838 certificates of residence. The institution also granted 135 extensions of stay for those needing more time in the country. A significant number of provisional documents were also processed during this period.
Understanding provisional residency status
A key service provided was the issuance of 437 precarious residencies, known in Spanish as residencias precarias. These are not permanent or temporary statuses, but rather provisional documents. They are specifically granted to individuals who have applied for temporary residency, serving as a temporary legal standing while their main application is being processed.
The National Directorate of Migration continues to offer its full range of services at multiple locations throughout the country to ensure accessibility for all applicants. The main offices are located in key urban centres, including Asunción, Ciudad del Este, and Encarnación. Additional service points can be found in Pedro Juan Caballero, Concepción, and Salto del Guairá, among other regional headquarters.
